An exciting game at the Racecourse saw the result in doubt until the last few minutes. The hundreds gathered in the cold, starry atmosphere had their hearts warmed by a rumbustious derby.
Huntingdon started by far the better. Making a mess of Ives’ exit from the kick off, they pounded the line and were rewarded with an early try.
For fast 30 minutes, the Bulls had still to get off the bus with passes going astray and Stags continuing to threaten. The hosts were rewarded with a second try as they brushed past soft Ives defence.
Following a lineout, Ives finally managed to string a passage of continuous possession together. Staying patient, they breached the line through Dan De’Ath,
Stags responded almost immediately. Both sides struggled to gain quality ball from scrums, but Huntingdon managed to secure enough to again pound the visitors’ defence, finally scoring.
With the half drawing to a close, another well worked lineout gave Ives’ backs possession and space. Jack Fitch darted through a gap and sprinted to touch down with an outstretched arm.
Half time 19-14
The difference in the second half was as much down to an improved defensive display by Ives as their attacking prowess. Tom Woodrow and Paul Ashbridge were notable with both their tackling and metres gained.
Huntingdon took to searching for ground with kicks, but met with an inspired Ben Fleming who frequently gathered and wove his way downfield through flailing defence to negate the tactic.
Ives levelled the score just after the 50 minute mark. Receiving ball on the back foot, Torv Romeis fed John Paxton who swept around the Stags defence and chipped for the corner. The full back was unable to deal with the onrushing Ives attackers and Dave Sykes benefited to crash over.
Approaching the final quarter, Ives took the lead following a Stags error in attack. A loose pass was hacked downfield. Ives turned over the defence ball again and showed patience in maintaining possession until Fleming took a close pass to score.
The tension ratcheted up as it was still just a one-score game until the final minutes. Two phases of brilliance by the Bulls broke Stags’ hearts.
Under severe pressure near their own line, Ives wrested possession through an Ashbridge steal. Paxton released Fitch, who sprinted the length of the field to score to the delight of the Ives supporters.
From the kick off, De’Ath battered his way to the 10-metre line. Swift recycling saw Woodrow make ground, followed by great hands by him and George Collett which saw Fleming through to score.
There was no time for Stags to respond and Ives were worthy of their win after a much improved second half.